Woman linked to apologetic robber nabbed

By Ana Ley :
April 24, 2013
: Updated: April 24, 2013 11:06am

Police are searching for a man who apologized to two women as he robbed them at an apartment complex in the 8300 block of West Hausman Road on March 21, 2013.

Photo By Courtesy

Police are searching for a man who apologized to two women as he robbed them at an apartment complex in the 8300 block of West Hausman Road on March 21, 2013.

Photo By Courtesy

Police are searching for a man who apologized to two women as he robbed them at an apartment complex in the 8300 block of West Hausman Road on March 21, 2013.

Photo By Courtesy

Police are searching for a man who apologized to two women as he robbed them at an apartment complex in the 8300 block of West Hausman Road on March 21, 2013.

A woman suspected of forging a set of checks taken by an apologetic robber who swung at two victims with a metal flashlight was behind bars Wednesday morning.

Ashley Lynn Cardwell, 22, was arrested Monday, accused of depositing a forged $30,000 check at a Wells Fargo bank shortly after the early-morning robberies March 21 at an apartment complex in the 8300 block of West Hausman Road.

Detectives identified Cardwell through surveillance footage taken at the bank. They said she also may have used at least four other forged checks at Target and H-E-B stores.

Police are still searching for the man who robbed two women in separate incidents at the apartment complex last month, telling them both he was sorry as he swung at their heads with a flashlight.

During the first robbery, an 18-year-old woman said she heard someone running from behind, then turned around and saw a man coming straight at her with a metal flashlight.

She said she dropped her wallet and phone and began running for her apartment as the man followed, swinging at her head as he apologized. She ducked the blows and made it safely into her apartment.

The thief didn't take the phone and wallet she dropped — the wallet had nothing of value inside.

Moments later, a second woman saw the man running toward her as she parked. She said he ran past her and appeared to be heading for a small vehicle parked nearby, then suddenly turned and headed toward her again.

He began hitting her over the head repeatedly with the flashlight and demanding that she hand over her purse, later telling her he was sorry. The woman, 20, was bruised but not seriously injured.

After taking her purse, the robber smashed her phone with the flashlight and took off in a nearby vehicle.

Witnesses who called police reported hearing screaming and gunshots, which likely was the sound of the flashlight smashing the second victim's cellphone, police said.

Surveillance footage at the complex captured images of the thief. He's pictured wearing a white ball cap, a white T-shirt and khaki pants.

Anyone with information is urged to call San Antonio Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867. Tipsters who provide information that leads to an arrest could get a reward of up to $5,000.